Me in Melange

Need bridesmaids anyone?

I think this is the cutest way to ask your friends to be bridesmaids!  Found this randomly while surfing the net...now I just need someone I know to actually get married!  They are only $6.50 and I think would a sweet way to memoralize the "asking"!  Found them on www.estiloweddings.com --a GREAT wedding site!  Signed, ME {lv}

Once a Bride, Always a List Maker!

I haven't talked about weddings in a long time, actually since mine last year... but I guess I just can't get enough because this year I'm helping a few brides on their way to stylish wedded bliss.  One of them sent me this site for muse weddings, this is such a cool site and totally free!  It helps you organize, you can make checklists with tasks, then prioritize them ie. 'do this week', 'do later', etc. It also helps keep track of your budget, ideas, and schedule as well.  It's such a handy tool... and if you do actively use it, I think it would minimize your chance of getting overwhelmed and becoming a bridezilla!  I think I'll use it for just everyday life. ;)  signed, me {CA}

wedding snippets...

So I thought I'd share a couple of wedding pics with you gals... but first I thought I would 'answer' a couple of things on LV's top ten.  First of all, thank you LV, for the praise on my dress, that means a lot coming from you!  But I have to say the best compliment was when my new hubby asked if I had brought it along on the honeymoon, ;) then I knew for sure it was a winner!  Second, no valium... I really was just happy to be in the moment!  And finally... our song was "nobody knows me" by Lyle Lovitt.  :) That man can sing like nobody's business!  So, here is a little collage of pics, wish I could have invited all of you!!  But thanks to all that did come, it was truly a memorable weekend!  signed, me {CA} 

 

Cara's Gorgeous Wedding!

We are back from Cara's amazing wedding and I wanted to fill everyone in on a few of the precious details....so in the spirit of Cara's own wedding top 10, I thought I'd do a "post-wedding" top 10!  These are in no particular order......

1.  Cara's dress!  She looked like a rocket in a silky sheath dress, fit perfectly and she looked positively GREAT!  After the ceremony 3 of the women at the table I sat "had" to dish just a little with her and get the scoop on how she manage to get away with absolutely zero undie lines....the answer was the Commando Undies (by Her Look).  I thought for sure she really HAD gone commando!

2.  The personal details!  The very best thing about Cara's wedding (besides the obvious love in the air) was all the precious personal touches.  The result of lots of creative talent and her ambitious efforts.  There were childhood photos on the dinner tables of both her and husband ....wonderful rustic wood boards with chalk draw message along the walkways....everyone had their own appointed mason canning jar for drinking (nicely tucked in this nifty cubby thing that was already built into a wall of the lodge in the dance area)....there were white lights....a kids craft table of activities.....the list of extra "touches" could go on and on.

3.  Cara was one of the first totally sane brides I've ever seen.  She seemed totally on top of it, not stressed, and actually looked like she was having fun (the bridezilla term was totally lost on her).  I never saw her snapping at anyone like a dragon (I still have teeth marks from my sister's freakout the day of her wedding)...no tantrums, no drama....it was like she was on valium the whole time (I can't verify she wasn't, but I highly doubt it :-) ).

4.  Cara's father-in-laws final words of this toast..."may all of Cara & Ryan's ups and downs be between the sheets".  FUNNY!!  I plan on using that toast sometime during my life!!

3.  Whatever song she chose for her first dance with her husband was wonderful.  Hadn't heard it before and I can't wait to find out who it was....sounded a little country, but subtle, and incredibly romantic.

4.  The scenary.  She chose a really beautiful spot along the McKenzie river.....rustic and quaint, absolutely serence.  The entire lodge with adjacent cabins were rented so it was like their very own wedding oasis.

5.  During their ceremony the couple joined sand from North Carolina and Oregon to merge their lives together....honestly, I teared up, it was really sweet.  Could be the pregnancy hormones, but I definitely was near tears.

6.  I loved that it was informal, but still all put together.  It was informal, but not THAT informal...meaning we didn't look weird in nice dresses and heels, but we also sat on rustic wood picnic tables for dinner.  It was the perfect environment, relaxed, but lovely.

7.  All the great people!  Ever notice that creative interesting people seem to attract more of the same?  Besides all the amazing people that I already knew (most courtesy of Melange), I felt fortunate to meet some really neat people that were fun, down to earth, intelligent and that all seemed to genuinely love Cara (and/or Ryan her husband).  Seems simple enough but I can't believe how many weddings I've been to where half the guests barely know the bride/groom (vague friend, business and family obligations).

8.  Cara's cute husband.  For as often as I've heard about Ryan, I've never actually met him before this weekend.  He is a doll, and you can instantly sense why they are perfect together.  Couldn't really put it in words, but they definitely fit.

9.  All of Cara's creative helpers.   The wedding was such a DYI project, from start to finish, and I was so impressed by how faithfully all of her dear friends were ready to help her and make the day perfect for her.  She is a wonderful, so it is no surprise that she would have so many friends, but it was awesome to see that kind of friend dedication in action.  The results were amazing, and if you saw photographed for a Martha Stewart layout you wouldn't think twice, you'd assume it was the expert eye of the diva herself!

10.  I've been to a lot of weddings....from small and super casual, to huge and lavish, and I have to say in all honesty this was one of the best weddings I had ever been to.  It was just a treat.  The atmosphere was relaxed, loving, and everything was so tasteful.  No stereotypical cheesey wedding touches, no stuffy traditions that had no personal meaning to the bride/groom.  Instead everything felt like an extension of them and their love, and I think that feeling made it incredibly special!

Signed, ME {lv}

       

my wedding top ten

I have a week to go... and I believe this is the time that I need to stop and breathe and look at the big picture.  Although, I think I'm doing quite well... checking off the list and whatnot.  But it seems everyone else is getting ants in their pants. (maybe I should have made lists for everyone?)  Anyhoo... in the spirit of "lists" I thought I'd make a top ten of things that I love (and hopefully come to full fruition) for my wedding, here goes...

#1.   no vendors.  that's right ladies... I'm not using a single one. no caterer, no set photographer, no florist... might seem crazy.  But I'm going to get exactly what I want and not have to pay the "wedding price".  All you need is creativity and some friends.

#2.     Speaking of no vendors... a girl has still got to have flowers!  Rehearsal dinner, you have seen previews of the paper tissue flowers.  But for the big day, my friend, Cory is going to be the first to arrive at the Eugene Saturday Market (a gorgeous display of local farming talent) and get all my flowers!!  I can't wait to share pics... they're going to be lovely!

#3.   JAM.  I have been busy this summer to say the least... but one of my favorite projects was making homemade jam for my guest favors.  I bought different berries each weekend at the infamous Saturday Market and went home, cooked up some jam, bottled, and packaged them up with little linen covers and copper tags that are stamped "enjoy".  How could you not enjoy a favor as sweet as that!

#4.   The kids' table... maybe not the most necessary thing.  But I had a lot of fun gathering/making things to put on it... and I do believe that happy kids make a party much more fun!

#5.  Off the rack.  That's right... this little Melange fashionista bought her dress straight off the rack.  And I'm so glad that I just didn't stress about it.  It met all the criteria... it was a natural fiber (silk), it was simple, and it fit perfectly.  I dressed it up with touches of "me" to make it my own. love it!

#6.   Speaking of dresses... I love my 'maids' dresses. I got them all from Velvet, my favorite!  Each is the same color, different style... (my goal was to get something for them that they WOULD actually wear again.  So many brides say those words... but they must not mean it cause I know almost everyone has a bridesmaid dress in their closet, never to be worn again.)  Hopefully I did a good job and everyone will look radiant!

#7.   I'm getting my hair cut the day of my wedding.... gasp! I know. Seems *crazy*!  But it's really not.  My hairdresser/good friend is flying from the east coast to come to the wedding.  And he's cutting my locks the day of... and I'm SOOOOO excited to have a brand new 'do!

#8.  Surprising my Mom... I've made my Mom a surprise gift to give her the day of the wedding.  Something that I know she'll love.  :)

#9.   Kauai... when this is all said and done. Ryan and I get to run off to Kauai and stay and do absolutely nothing if we want to.  ahhhh.... so nice!

#10.  Ryan... I'm so lucky to be marrying my best friend!  I just love him so much! :)

see no stress ;)  wish me luck!  signed, me {c} 

mmmm.... sangria!

A friend of mine found this Bobby Flay recipe for white peach sangria... it's going to be our little signature wedding drink.  (perfect that it's white... because I'm very clumsy!)  We tested it out last month on the fourth of July.  It's fantastic!!  And perfect for summer.  ENJOY!  signed, me {c}

A Recipe from Bobby Flay's From My Kitchen to Your Table
Bolo's White Peach Sangria

Summer brings white peaches, which complement white wine.  Any time of year, peach nectar is a convenient substitute for the fresh fruit.

2 bottles dry white wine
3/4 cup brandy
1/2 cup Triple Sec
3/4 cup simple syrup, or more if needed (see instructions below)
3 or 4 white peaches, skinned and pureed (3/4 cup puree), or 3/4 cup peach nectar (available at supermarkets)
3 oranges, sliced into thin rounds
3 green apples, cored and sliced thin
2 lemons, sliced into thin rounds
4 peaches, pitted and sliced thin

SIMPLE SYRUP: Combine equal parts of sugar and water in a saucepan.  Cook over low heat until clear, then boil for one minute.  Cool.

Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher.  If using fresh peaches, taste for sweetness and add more syrup,  if needed.  Serve over ice. 

DIY photo booth

So I'm really excited about this idea, it was kind of last minute but I think it will turn out to be one of my favorite wedding details.  Thanks to ideas from Martha Stewart... we're going to set up an outdoor photo booth.  Easy setup... hang a vintage piece of fabric (I'm using my strawberry duvet cover from the 1970s, split so that it's nice and wide) between two trees or poles. Then just set up a table with a Polaroid camera and lots of film.  TA DA!  Photo booth.  MS' idea was to then setup a french style bulletin board so that your guests could post their pics. Cute, but I'm opting for a clothesline of twine and clothespins.  :) Anyhoo, a friend of a friend donated a Polaroid camera to the cause.  Thanks, Carrie!  I tested it out last night, it's really old and gives photos a sepia look to them... absolutely love it!  signed, me {c}

   

color me with love

So I have 5 more working days left until I leave for the wedding hoop-la... so I'm going to share the projects as they start to wrap themselves up.  :)  Last night after 4 hours of running errands I put these together.  They're 8.5"x11" coloring books for the kids' favor table at the reception.  They will be accompanied by packs of crayons and hopefully lots of little happy hands.  I think it's important to have some kiddie entertainment, because let's face it, "grown-up" parties can be such a drag. ;)  I'm lucky enough to have a wonderful friend who just happens to illustrates children's books... she did the sketches for these "critter couples".  They turned out adorable!!!  Thanks Ivy!  Anyhoo... a very cute and very easy little wedding detail.  signed, me {c}

labor of love

I'm thinking about opening a tissue paper florist shop... ;)  But really, if I had extra time in my day I would just sit around and make these.  But alas, here is the fruit of our labor for Saturday.  We went off Martha Stewart's beaten path and came up with lillies, daisies, and peonies, oh my!  Enjoy!  signed, me {c}

   

craft happy!

I had to share with you gals that my craftiness bloomed last night!  A couple of my key wedding helpers and I got together and started experimenting with Martha Stewart's online guide to making tissue paper flowers.  Now as we all know Martha's 'easy' guides are never quite so easy (and we decide last night that she must omit certain steps or change supplies just so yours don't look quite as good as hers ;).  But! With that said... I think our prototypes turned out pretty darn cute!!  My friend sent me home with a bag of our blooms and on saturday afternoon we're getting together to make my bouquet for the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner center pieces.  (On the night of the reception I will use the paper blooms on the kid's favor table, cute!)   Anyhoo... I will post pics of our end products but here are the first attempts... some paper blooms, basking in the morning sun to brighten your day!  signed, me {c}